Did you know that electricity is a major cause of accidental fires in homes due to product misuse and faulty appliances or installations?

Across England there were a total of 18,375 electrical fires in 2015-16, causing 2,448 fatalities and injuries. That’s an average of 47 each week and seven a day.

White Goods

Domestic electrical white goods, such as dishwashers, tumble dryers, and fridge freezers are one of the leading causes of electrical fires in England. Making small changes in your daily routine can reduce the risk of a fire starting in your home. This involves not leaving appliances running while the house is unoccupied or when everyone is asleep.

The Electrical Safety Council has created an easy to use calculator where you can plug in some typical household appliances to see the effect on the load. The calculator is intended to help you understand how you can avoid overloading your sockets and reduce the risk of fire. To use the calculator please visit our electrical safety page.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have some simple tips to help you use the white goods in your homes safely:

Always buy from a reputable dealer/manufacturer and never buy second hand white goods.

If you’re concerned about an appliance in your home, use Electrical Safety First’s online product checker to see if it has been recalled.

Consider fitting your fusebox with an RCD (Residual Current Device). It’s a life-saving device that switches the electricity off automatically if there is a fault. You can also buy plug-in RCDs for use in individual sockets.

Phil Buckle, Chief Executive at Electrical Safety First commented: "Electricity is the cause of over half of all domestic house fires in England each year. Faulty appliances and installations along with the misuse of electricity are amongst the major causes of these electrical fires, leading to avoidable deaths and injuries. With more than five fires a day in England caused by white goods, the Government needs to take immediate action to reduce this figure."

Alan Gilson, Community Safety Manager said: "A high number of fires in Devon & Somerset are caused by the misuse of electrical appliances and these can be easily prevented. A house fire can have devastating and long term effects, not only destroying belongings and memories but also putting you and your loved ones at risk. We are urging everybody to follow our simple advice that will help them to stay safe in their homes. "

Have you checked the appliances of an older or vulnerable person?

Almost half of all fire deaths in the UK involve people over the age of 60 and by the time someone reaches 80 they are 10 times more likely to die in a fire than someone under 30. Checking the appliance of someone who is older or vulnerable may identify any issues with their appliances ensuring they are protected from the risks of an incident occurring.